Commander in Chief of Self Defense Fleet attended Fleet Commanders’ Round Table (FCRT) in Busan, Korea.

On April 21, Commander in Chief of Self Defense Fleet, Vice Admiral SAITO Akira, attended Fleet Commanders’ Round Table (FCRT) in Busan, Korea.
This conference was attended by the Fleet commanders of Japan, the U.S., Australia, and Republic of Korea to share awareness and discuss various destabilizing factors, combined exercises, and defense cooperation for the sake of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
VADM SAITO said, "Attempts and actual action to change the status quo by force are the challenges against rules-based free and open international order. Our four navies should build a security environment that does not accept such violations. We will also need to maintain strong coordination each other and deepen cooperation with friendly nations in the Indo-Pacific region. The Self-Defense Fleet will continue to actively conduct activities to contribute to the regional peace and security with allied and like-minded navies."
The commander of the U.S. 7th Fleet Vice Admiral Karl Thomas said, "Coming together as a fleet team with like-minded friends is critical to align efforts within our shared national interests as we uphold the norms that govern the maritime domain. Through our combined resolve, we keep the Indo-Pacific free and open and we deter aggression."
The fleet commanders agreed to continue strongly cooperating together also in 2023 as well and conduct multilateral exercises such as the Pacific Vanguard to train advanced tactics and strengthen coordination with other navies. Additionally, they shared the same recognition that they will actively engage in defense cooperation with Indo-Pacific nations and contribute to peace and stability in the region in order to realize a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific."

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